Could Earclips Be 2025’s Most Interesting Jewelry Trend?

By Karen Dybis | April 04, 2025

According to jewelry lore, Christian Dior once said, “Earrings have the power to transform an ordinary outfit into an extraordinary one.” Today, there are more options than ever for making that transformation.

Wearing an earring as a brooch, donning an ear cuff that wraps completely around the lobe, or selecting a classic clip-on earring to get the look without the commitment—these are some examples of the earring’s versatility.

I’ve noticed in articles about 2025 earring trends that clip-ons are gaining popularity, both among teens who may not have piercings and people of other generations who never got their ears pierced. Jewelry companies that offer earclips—earrings that can be worn in a clip-on style or the traditional way—include higher-end brands like Verdura, Belperron, and Margherita Burgener.

“Earrings are never out of trend,” says Emanuela Burgener, co-owner and creative director of Valenza, Italy–based Margherita Burgener. “Most women, like me, always, every day, every occasion, wear a pair of earrings.”

Emanuela Burgener ear clips — *Margherita Burgener’s Sakura earclips (price on request), with 10.35 cts. t.w. rubies and 1.93 cts. t.w. diamonds in 18k rose gold, were inspired by blossoming cherry trees.*

Burgener says she is known for her miniature masterpieces, especially for her client’s ears, whether they are pierced or not. “Some prefer little ones, to be very easy, any time of the day—like pearls or little stars or little hoops, as they are light and comfortable,” she says. “I love earrings to be more visible, more decorative.”

What got me thinking about our ear accessories in the first place was not only recent fashion runways where earrings seemed to be front and center but my own lobes. I recently had my ears repierced, as I had stopped wearing earrings two decades ago because of a metal allergy. But when my teenage daughter added her second piercing, I decided it was time to try earrings once again.

Dear reader, it was liberating. To having this option again felt like a return to my younger self—the one who begged my parents when I finally turned “double digits” (10 years old!) to get my first piercing. Now that I have upgraded my earrings to fine jewelry, any allergy or related issue is gone.

Coquillage Earclips — *The Belperron Coquillage earclips ($24,500)—seen on the red carpet on actress Hannah Einbinder—are made with 22k gold, which Suzanne Belperron admired for its raw texture.*

Verdura first got my attention for its role on last year’s Feud: Capote vs. the Swans miniseries—dazzling Swans including Babe Paley and C.Z. Guest wore Verdura earclips because they did not have pierced ears. Then the brand got notice for putting its Twisted Horn earclips on the legendary Rita Moreno at the 2024 Oscars.

Belperron has received lots of attention for dressing two fashion-forward celebrities during the 2025 awards season in earclips. Hacks star Hannah Einbinder accepted the Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series at the Critics Choice Awards with Belperron Coquillage clips on her ears. And comedy genius Julia Louis-Dreyfus—a personal favorite—wore a pair of vintage Belperron emerald and diamond Toggle earclips (circa 1942) at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, earning her the description of “understated elegance” from blog Who Wore What Jewels and the admiration of other jewelry watchers.

Verdura Quatrefoil Earclips Rubelli — *Verdura Quatrefoil earclips ($59,500) feature rubellite, amethyst, and diamonds in platinum and 18k yellow gold.*

But I digress. Burgener says she offers a retractable post so women can wear her earrings either way. That option opens up earrings to wearing them a myriad ways off the ears, too, she adds.

“It is a very useful tool that allows the possibility to use the jewel as clips on a dress, jacket, shirt, whatever you prefer,” Burgener says.

Jonathan Joseph Rosse, the designer behind New York City–based fine jewelry brand JJR, recently did just that. Rosse—who specializes in natural color diamonds and rare gemstones—wore one of his Peony earrings as a brooch. They happen to be clip-on earrings with a post, which makes this transformation easy for anyone.

“Earrings are generally some of the most eye-catching pieces of jewelry one can wear. Not only that, but people can take creative liberties with larger, more ornate earrings to use as pins, brooches, or cufflinks,” Rosse says. “For instance, my fiancé and I are planning to wear earrings as pins for our wedding, and there’s something beautiful about partners sharing a singularly designed piece of jewelry.”

Top: Jonathan Joseph Rosse of JJR wears one of his Peony earrings as a brooch. (All photos courtesy of the brands)